Are you bored of the places you usually visit for a holiday? Here are some alternative holiday destinations for you to consider.
Alnwick Poison Garden, England.
The Duchess of Northumberland was very curious to know why there were so many gardens that displayed plants that could be used to make people well. She wanted to know why there were no gardens that exhibited plants that could kill people. She decided to create her own poison garden and visitors are always welcome. However, they are warned that once they enter the Poison Garden they should under no circumstances try to smell any of the plants as it could lead to their death. There is also a castle close to the garden that was used to film many Hogwarts scenes from the Harry Potter movies.
Leshan Giant Buddha, China.
Of course, Hong Kong can boast of its own giant Buddha over on the island of Lantau. The giant Buddha in China’s south-western city of Leshan in Sichuan Province is equally impressive. A Buddhist monk called Haiton began carving into the sandstone cliff way back in the year 713. At 71 metres, it is the largest stone Buddha in the world.
The Sewer Museum, France.
If you are curious to know what happens when you flush a toilet, the Sewer Museum in Paris, the capital city of France, may have some answers for you. These sewers date back to 1370 and tours around them have been popular since the 1800s. Visitors are able to walk on raised platforms that take them directly over the sewers. It must be a bit smelly down there but thousands of people visit every year. With careful lighting, the sewer system also looks a bit spooky and it has featured in many famous novels over the years including ‘Les Misérables’ by Victor Hugo.
Ice Hotel, Canada.
Technically, this is not a destination for summertime but we thought we should include it anyway. The Ice Hotel in Québec, Canada, opens between January and March each year when the weather is at its coldest. The actual hotel and its furniture are made from ice and snow. Even the guests’ beds are made from blocks of ice. It is probably the only hotel that recommends that its guests include in their luggage a hat, scarf and long underwear. We are still uncertain how you can keep warm in bed when you are sleeping on a bed of ice and the temperature outside is -25 degrees Celsius.
Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona, USA.
Known locally as the place where water runs through rocks. Visitors are able to walk through the 400-metre canyon. It was created over a period of millions of years by water flooding through the sandstone. The canyon gets its name from the antelope that used to graze in the area hundreds of years ago. Visitors say that entering the canyon is like a spiritual or religious experience. It also offers a wonderful opportunity to take some brilliant photographs.
Explore some other strange travel destinations. Which one would you choose?
QUESTION:
VOCABULARY:
